Calibrachoa: growing and care. Calibrachoa - growing from seed, when to plant

Abundantly flowering plant calibrachoa, the cultivation and care of which is not particularly difficult, is especially attractive for placement in pots and flowerpots. Having got acquainted with this flower better, it is impossible to refuse to plant it in your garden. Even a beginner can cope with the cultivation of a crop.

The plant is often confused with petunia, which has many external similarities with calibrachoa. In reality, however, it is completely different types, in which even DNA does not consist of the same number of chromosomes.

Calibrachoa flowers are small in size, but bloom profusely, which is why an unusually decorative effect is created from the lush mass of flowers.

The easiest way to grow a crop is cuttings, rather than seeds, which you will need to tinker with. Planting plants is optimal in hanging planters. The length of the stems can be up to one and a half meters, and therefore the main purpose of the calibrachoa is vertical gardening. The resistance of the crop to a lack of moisture makes it the best option even when it is not possible to pay enough attention to the garden.

How to grow from seeds?

The choice of the method of growing calibrohoa through seeds is only good if there is no opportunity to buy seedlings or you do not want to spend a significant amount of money on the plant. The process requires strict adherence to all the rules of agricultural technology, since otherwise it will not be possible to get high-quality seedlings. Seed germination is usually low and even the slightest disturbance in agricultural technology leads to the fact that the plant is extremely weak and does not give abundant flowers.

Growing calibrachoa from seeds is more for professionals than for beginners.

Soil and capacity requirements

To receive quality seedlings It is very important to provide the plants with the correct soil.

For sowing seeds, prepare the soil by mixing the following components:

peat - 1 part;
garden land - 1 part;
humus - 1 part.

Also, without fail, you should add mineral fertilizers.

If you wish, you can purchase special soil for seedlings of flower crops in a gardening store.

How and when to plant seeds?

It is necessary to plant flower seeds for seedlings early enough. In the Middle Lane, this is done in the last decade of February. The seeds of the plant are small, so care must be taken when planting so as not to lose them. Seeds are scattered over the surface of the moistened soil, gently pressed into it. Then the box with the seedlings is covered with glass or foil and placed under the lamp. It will not be possible to get seedlings on the windowsill, since natural light there will be too few for sprouts, and the cold from the window will interfere with timely germination.

Seedlings dive 45 days after sowing seeds. Weak sprouts should not be left, since growing them does not make sense, since it will not be possible to get high-quality flowering from them.

Seedling care

Proper crop care is very important for healthy plants. Water the seedlings as needed, but at least 1 time in 5 days.

Important for plants and feeding. The first time fertilizers are applied 2 weeks after the dive. It is used for feeding a complex mineral fertilizer for flowering plants. Its dosage should be 2 times less than that indicated in the instructions for the composition, since otherwise it will burn the roots. Further feeding is carried out once every 2 weeks until the plants are planted in a permanent place.

Growing calibrachoa from cuttings

Growing from cuttings is the most in a simple way reproduction of calibrachoa. To obtain young bushes from the mother plant, apical cuttings with a length of at least 4 cm and no more than 6 cm are cut off and rooted in the soil, the same one that is being prepared for planting seeds. To speed up the process of root formation, the lower leaf plates are cut off from the cuttings.

In order for rooting to proceed as quickly as possible, a mini-greenhouse is made over the plants, for which the pot with cuttings is covered with a transparent plastic bag... It must be removed daily for 3-5 minutes to ventilate. Further care the same as for an adult plant.

Planting seedlings in open ground

Seedlings are planted in open ground after the air temperature is at least +15 degrees. For planting, use spacious hanging pots or tall flowerpots. In the Middle Lane, disembarkation is usually carried out at the end of May.

The soil is needed the same as the one in which the seedlings were grown.

Flowers are planted in the late afternoon so that the sun does not immediately burn them. Once rooted, the plant will need bright sunlight, but not all the time.

Calibrachoa: care

In order for the plant to please for a long time rapid flowering, it is necessary to provide him with quality care. There is nothing complicated about it.

Lighting, temperature and humidity

Since the plant does not tolerate strong heat, calibrachoa should not be planted in the sun itself. It is optimal to plant flowers in a place that is fully illuminated by the sun only in the morning and evening, when its rays can no longer burn the plant.

The air temperature also has great importance, and you should not leave the flower outside when it gets below +12 degrees.

Air humidity does not significantly affect the plant. It does not tolerate too much dryness, but otherwise special hydration is not required and normal or slightly high humidity air. If, due to prolonged heat and lack of precipitation, the air is dry, then it is worth putting a saucer of water near the plant, the evaporation of which will locally increase the humidity. For the winter, it is installed in a warm room.

Watering and feeding

When watering, it is very important to take into account the fact that the culture is less demanding on water than petunia, and excessive soil moisture is destructive for it. Water the flower only when the soil dries out a little.

Top dressing is carried out 1 time in 14 days, using complex fertilizers for flowering plants.

Fertilization and spraying

Spraying for the flower is necessary. In hot weather, it is carried out 3 times a day. To do this, use only settled water at room temperature.

You can combine spraying with foliar fertilization. For this, it is useful to use a solution of succinic acid or special compositions for treating the aboveground part of flowering plants. They will stimulate the formation of the maximum number of buds and long, especially vigorous flowering.

The nuances of winter care

The culture is perennial and is housed indoors for the winter months. The flower should be placed in the northern part of the apartment, away from heat sources. If it is impossible to put it away from the battery, then cover the radiator with a blanket.

After 14 days of keeping the plant warm, its shoots are cut in half and the intensity of watering is reduced. If there is additional lighting, cuttings can be made from cut shoots.

Disease and pest control

With proper care, the plant does not suffer from diseases. Due to waterlogging, fungal diseases can develop. Compliance with agricultural techniques and proper watering will be able to prevent their occurrence. To prevent damage by pests, calibrachoa should be sprayed with compounds against them once every 2 weeks. You can buy them at any gardening store.

Application in landscape design

V landscape design the plant is used to create complex compositions with tall flowerpots and hanging pots. The flower harmoniously complements the design of the garden and creates rich color spots well.

Calibrachoa should not be confused with petunia and the plant should not be mistaken for an annual. At proper care culture will great decoration garden. A planter with many small bells will surely attract attention. The kablum variety with bright yellow flowers looks especially impressive.

For some time now, calibrachoa has become a permanent inhabitant of the balconies and flower beds of amateur gardeners. And every year its popularity only increases. This plant is very similar to petunia. Until the end of the last century, it was even referred to as petunias, until scientists established that genetically these two plants are completely different. However, this fact is not known to everyone. Some budding growers mistake calibrachoa for petunia. Nevertheless, the plant has a number of differences by which you can establish its belonging.

Calibrachoa - growing and care

You can determine whether calibrachoa is really in front of you by the following signs.

Along the pharynx located at the base of the rim. In calibrachoa, it should be yellow.
Largest leaves. The leaflets of calibrachoa are small (4 cm) and narrow (1 cm).
By the stem. The plant has a sturdier stem with a woody structure.

On a note! Calibrachoa can be planted both in a flower bed and in boxes or tubs. But the ornamental plant will look best if planted in hanging structures.

Depending on the shape of the flower, the variety of this ornamental plant are divided into two groups. Flowers can be either simple or double. The first calibrachoa were purple, but now a huge number of varieties have been bred with flowers of a wide variety of colors. Let's consider the most common varieties.

Cabaret

The varieties in this group include 12 positions. Among them there are most of all plants with white flowers, but there are also variants of other shades. A cache-pot with such calibrachoa in its appearance resembles a ball, strewn with a huge number of snow-white bells.

Important! If the branches are not pruned, they can grow. more than a meter in length. But it is still advisable to give the flower bed beautiful shape using garden shears. It is from these flowers that landscape designers construct such popular living arches today.

This is one of the very first experiments by breeders to develop new species of calibrachoa. The result is a group of varieties with deep blue flowers. Plants of this species do not even reach half a meter in height, and the seeds are distinguished by good germination. But if you collect them from the parent plant, then the young bush will turn out to be larger and with purple flowers.

A small plant with double flowers. The branches grow up to 70 cm long. Flowers of all kinds of pink shades reach a diameter of 4 cm. There are fewer flowers on the bush of this calibrachoa than on the beds of non-double varieties. However, the beauty of the flower itself justifies this slight lag in quantity. Bright foliage dilutes the composition with greenery. In general, a flowerpot with such a calibrachoa looks interesting in its own way.

On a note! Such hybrids have their own advantage in breeding. Their cuttings take root well. The roots appear literally two days after the cutting was placed in water.

Noa

Includes 6 different colors s variations. Among them there are white and light purple varieties. Compositions of these plants look especially elegant and romantic. The flowers are painted in two colors. The shade in the middle of the flowers and on the longitudinal stripes located on the petals differs from the main tone. The branches reach a length of 0.5 m.

The plant requires care and attention. But at the same time it grows well in slightly shaded places and withstands a little dampness. It is preferable to plant it as an annual plant, since it will bloom poorly the next year after wintering.

Important! When caring for a plant, it is important not to overdo it with watering, and it must also be fed and sprayed.

Вells

This series consists of 8 types of calibrachoa. The shade of flowers up to 3.5 cm in diameter can vary from yellow to burgundy. If you do not cut the branches, then they grow up to one meter. Leaves of these plants are present in small quantities.

Bells varieties begin to bloom in May. Luxurious scattering of bells is not afraid of hail and rain. Fluctuations in weather conditions are well tolerated. When combined with white petunias, these calibrachoa make up a very attractive duo.

Breeding methods for calibrachoa

The most common breeding methods are cuttings and growing from seeds. Cuttings will require more strength to produce strong plants from them. However, it is not so simple with seeds either. Unfortunately, grown-up calibrachoa, grown from seed, are often disappointing to gardeners.

The most likely outcome of seed breeding is a flower that looks completely different from the mother plant. The new bush turns out to be smaller, and the flowering does not differ in the expected splendor. Breeding by cuttings gives much more pleasant results.

Table. Breeding calibrachoa by cuttings step by step.

Steps, photo	Description of actions
	To obtain a cutting, cut off the top of the calibrachoa twig (about 5 cm).
	At the base of the cutting, pinch off a couple of lower leaves.
	It is advisable to put it in a glass of water within an hour after the cutting has been cut from the parent plant.
	After that, the cutting must be transplanted into the ground. First, use a napkin to remove excess moisture from its base.
	Then it is recommended to process the base of the cutting with Kornevin.
	Deepening in the ground for the cutting can be done with a toothpick.
	Root the cutting into the ground or peat tablet, immersing to the first leaves. As a soil, you can take a universal soil for indoor flowers.
	Install the soil with cuttings in a mini-greenhouse, and then sprinkle with water using a spray bottle.
	Cover the greenhouse with a transparent lid or foil. Before rooting, the container should be under the phytolamp at a temperature of about + 20 ° C. Periodically, the greenhouse lid must be opened for ventilation.

The roots should be expected to appear within two weeks.

Caring for cuttings after rooting consists in spraying moisture up to two times during the day. It is important to ensure that the soil does not dry out, but it is not excessively damp. If mold appears, you need to reduce the number of watering and spraying. The sprouts are transplanted into pots with a diameter of 5 cm when the roots reach 2 cm.

Video - Reproduction of calibrachoa using seeds

Features of caring for calibrachoa

When the calibrachoa seedlings reach the right sizes, it is transplanted into pots, which are hung to decorate the garden, alley or facade of the house. It is recommended to wait until May before taking the pots with the plant outside.

On a note! These flowers are very fond of lighted and warm places. It is also advisable to protect the plant from drafts and strong winds. Therefore, calibrachoa is often kept as a houseplant.

A plant that has reached a sufficiently large size must be provided with enough free space. It should be planted in well-fertilized soil. An adult calibrachoa requires 3 kg of loose soil, to which you need to add compost or humus.

Attention! To form a beautiful bush that will delight long flowering, plants need to be pinched, and dried flowers must be removed in a timely manner.

Calibrachoa - a florist's dream

Proper care of calibrachoa involves adherence to three principles:

regular watering;
maintaining the shape of the bush;
fertilization.

Lighting

It is advisable to place the flowerpot with bells where the plant will receive enough sunlight. Calibrachoa will not bloom with a lack of light. Plants love areas of the garden, balconies and terraces facing south or southeast. At the same time, they cannot stand extreme heat. If in summer in July the flower is under the scorching rays of the sun, it may dry out. At this time, it is better to transfer it to places protected from direct sunlight.

Top dressing

During the period of active growth, calibrachoa needs regular feeding, which must be done no more than once a week. Fertilizer formulations saturated with phosphorus and potassium are suitable for a flowering plant.

Watering

Watering should be done very carefully. It is important to avoid excess moisture. Excessively damp soil can provoke rotting of the root system.

At the same time, the plant needs frequent spraying, especially in dry, sultry weather. The procedure must be performed up to 4 times a day. It should be borne in mind that in direct sunlight, water droplets can burn leaves and petals. Therefore, in such circumstances, it is undesirable to spray.

Susceptibility to disease and pests

Regular feeding and proper care will prevent the occurrence of diseases. A strong flower is rarely attacked by pests. If the plant begins to take on an unhealthy appearance, and its flowering has decreased, it is necessary to find out the cause and begin to eliminate it.

Calibrachoa, if the rules of care are not followed, can be susceptible to the following diseases:

powdery mildew;
the leg is black;
chlorosis;
root rot.

Fungicides will help to cope with these diseases.

spider mite, which sucks out the nutrients contained in the branches and leaves from the plant, which reduces its immunity;
aphid, the defeat of which brings the flower to complete wilting;
thrips- the larvae of this pest live on foliage, devouring it, because of which the bush loses its attractiveness;
whitefly, whose larvae and butterflies suck the juices from the plant, which inhibits its development.

Calibrachoa is a very spectacular plant that requires attention and care. Subject to all the rules of care, it will thank the gardener with luxurious placers of multi-colored bells, which will become a worthy decoration of any garden.

Today the topic: how to keep calibrachoa at home in winter is incredibly relevant. Considering that the plant is classified as a perennial, besides, it is expensive to buy cuttings on the market every year, it is necessary to try to organize a comfortable rest period and a slight spring awakening for the mother plant.

For active growth, any decorative culture strength is needed. This is a dormant period

Experience shows that the calibrachoa in most cases tolerates wintering safely. With the onset of spring, the plant actively "rejuvenates" and blooms profusely.

Methods for preserving the mother liquor and rooted cuttings of calibrachoa are different:

on the windowsill;
in fridge;
in the basement.

Let's figure out which of the proposed options should be considered the most reliable and effective.

Wintering methods for calibrachoa

In room

It happens that the first frosts have already played out on the street, and the calibrachoa bush continues to bloom. Of course, by September or October, single bells remain on the stems, however, this is not a reason to say goodbye to the plant.

You should bring the pot into the room, put it on the windowsill and continue with the usual care. First of all, we are talking about moderate watering and the organization of additional lighting.

When the last bud has bloomed, it is necessary to provide the plant:

stable temperature regime within 12-18 degrees;
moderate watering once every 7-10 days.

In this case, heaters should be kept away from hanging calibrachoa stems. Hot air from the battery can provoke a blackening of the vegetative mass.

On a note! The lowered air temperature in the room helps to stop the growth of perennials. Thanks to this measure, when there is a lack of lighting, the stems do not stretch out and do not lose their decorative effect!

Overfilling, as well as overdrying an earth coma, is a common cause of plant death. Important! Excess water leads to wilting of the vegetative mass. A beginner can misinterpret this signal and, conversely, continue to fill in the roots. The difficulty in caring for perennials in winter is to maintain moderate soil moisture and ... air.

Is it worth replanting calibrachoa with the onset of cold weather if the roots become cramped in the native pot? No. This procedure should be postponed until spring.

Once every 1-1.5 months, the mother should be fed mineral fertilizers with chelates or phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. Experience shows that in this case overwintered plants look much better and healthier.

On a note! Calibrachoa cuttings rooted in August-September endure the "dormant period" much easier than 1-2 year old plants, and bloom earlier.

In the basement

As already noted, under the conditions middle lane In Russia, as well as in its remote corners, calibrachoa are classified as annuals. Gardeners have come to terms with the fact that for each season they have to order young cuttings or sow seeds for seedlings in advance (in February).

With the arrival of autumn, hanging baskets are freed up for new calibrachoa. Mature bushes are thrown into the trash. And in vain.

Plants are really unable to withstand subzero temperatures and severe frosts, but if you bring a container with calibrachoa into the basement for the winter, then in the spring you can restart the growth of the vegetative mass and achieve abundant flowering favorite variety.

Preparation for wintering:

long branches of calibrachoa are cut, leaving ± 8-10 cm from the root;
the soil is watered, observing the measure (without stagnant water).

The basement should be sufficiently humid and cool (up to + 10⁰C). Additional illumination is not provided. The plant is stored until about mid-February.

Do not be afraid of the bad appearance calibrachoa (in particular, drying of greenery) after wintering in the basement. In the absence of light and heat, it simply cannot be otherwise, Elena Gavrilova convinces: http://www.razmnojenie.ru/kolonka/zametki/calibrachoa.html.

This is how a perennial looks dull after a dark, damp winter hut. It is temporary

Soon (by about March), when the pot is taken out on the windowsill in the room, the plant will quickly recover - it will release young shoots, grow branches, leaves, buds.

On a note! Overwintered calibrachoa often suffer from chlorosis. It is better to use iron-containing preparations before the flowering of the bush, otherwise the opened buds will instantly lose their decorative effect. To help - a weak solution of citric acid.

In fridge

What should gardeners who do not own cellars do, but grow so many flowers that it is simply unrealistic to place pots on the windowsill? There is an exit. Calibrachoa (at least 1-2 cuttings) can winter in the refrigerator.

Pros of this storage method:

stable low air temperature (+ 1- + 3⁰С);
optimal soil moisture without additional watering.

the need for regular airing of the plant;
shortened (about 2 months) rest period;
the deplorable state of the flower due to the death of stems and leaves.

After the container with the calibrachoa returns to the windowsill, the mother plant will definitely throw out new shoots, and will actively increase the vegetative mass.

During this period, it is important to feed the plant with phosphorus-potassium, nitrogen or mineral compounds.

Reminder! For the prevention of chlorosis, citric acid can be added to the water.

Fertilizers in winter

Should Calibrachoa be fertilized while dormant? This is the most controversial issue among florists. Some believe that for better preservation calibrachoa until spring, you just need to water the soil in a timely manner, others insist on the introduction of mineral or phosphorus-potassium preparations.

Practice shows that top dressing really has a positive effect on the condition of plants, increases their immunity. The main thing is not to abuse the concentration and dilute the solutions half as much as indicated in the annotation for the period of active growth.

Fertilizers for top dressing in winter:

Uniflor;
Gumi;
Fertikalux;
other mineral, organic compounds.

Can calibrachoa be preserved in winter without additional measures?

Practice shows that individual plants survive perfectly on the windowsill without the organization of lights, dressings and low temperatures. In spite of everything, calibrachoa is waiting for spring, and with an increase in daylight hours, it starts to grow without additional stimuli.

Gardeners do not undertake to explain such an "exception to the rule", but they claim that they have repeatedly faced such situations. This means that the wintering of calibrachoa in a city apartment with heating devices, dry air and drafts is not a myth, but a reality.

Output

Calibrachoa is garden perennial, which does not hibernate on the street. Caring for a plant during the dormant period is not difficult, every grower can do it.

Failure is a matter of everyday life. Any gardener will confirm that there are situations when a flower does not want to grow with the most first-class care and, on the contrary, surprises with its beauty with minimal attention. So it is with calibrachoa. Through trial and error, you can find your own way of storing perennials.

"Garden, vegetable garden, do it yourself" shares his personal experience:

Calibrachoa cultivation and care fertilization pruning and reproduction

Calibrachoa - growing and care, step by step instructions

Until the end of the last century, it was even referred to as petunias, until scientists established that genetically these two plants are completely different. However, this fact is not known to everyone. Some budding growers mistake calibrachoa for petunia.

Nevertheless, the plant has a number of differences by which you can establish its belonging.

Calibrachoa - growing and care

You can determine whether calibrachoa is really in front of you by the following signs.

Along the pharynx located at the base of the rim. In calibrachoa, it should be yellow.
Largest leaves. The leaflets of calibrachoa are small (4 cm) and narrow (1 cm).
By the stem. The plant has a sturdier stem with a woody structure.

Calibrachoa

On a note! Calibrachoa can be planted both in a flower bed and in boxes or tubs. But the ornamental plant will look best if planted in hanging structures.

How to grow calibrachoa

What are calibrachoa?

Calibrachoa Chameleon Mix

Depending on the shape of the flower, the varieties of this ornamental plant are divided into two groups. Flowers can be either simple or double. The first calibrachoa were purple, but now a huge number of varieties have been bred with flowers of a wide variety of colors. Let's consider the most common varieties.

Cabaret

Calibrachoa Cabaret

Important! If the branches are not pruned, they can grow more than a meter in length. But it is still advisable to give the flower bed a beautiful shape with the help of garden shears. It is from these flowers that landscape designers construct such popular living arches today.

Calibrachoa Kablum

Mini Famous Double Pink

A small plant with double flowers. The branches grow up to 70 cm long. Flowers of all kinds of pink shades reach a diameter of 4 cm.

There are fewer flowers on the bush of this calibrachoa than on the beds of non-double varieties. However, the beauty of the flower itself justifies this slight lag in quantity. Bright foliage dilutes the composition with greenery.

In general, a flowerpot with such a calibrachoa looks interesting in its own way.

Mini Famous Double Pink

On a note! Such hybrids have their own advantage in breeding. Their cuttings take root well. The roots appear literally two days after the cutting was placed in water.

Noa

Includes 6 different color variations. Among them there are white and light purple varieties. Compositions of these plants look especially elegant and romantic. The flowers are painted in two colors. The shade in the middle of the flowers and on the longitudinal stripes located on the petals differs from the main tone. The branches reach a length of 0.5 m.

Calibrachoa Noa

Important! When caring for a plant, it is important not to overdo it with watering, and it must also be fed and sprayed.

Вells

Calibrachoa Bells

Breeding methods for calibrachoa

Calibrachoa

Calibrachoa seeds in prof. packaging

Table. Breeding calibrachoa by cuttings step by step.

Steps, photos Description of actions

Step 1	To obtain a cutting, cut off the top of the calibrachoa twig (about 5 cm).
Step 2	At the base of the cutting, pinch off a couple of lower leaves.
Step 3	It is advisable to put it in a glass of water within an hour after the cutting has been cut from the parent plant.
Step 4	After that, the cutting must be transplanted into the ground. First, use a napkin to remove excess moisture from its base.
Step 5	Then it is recommended to process the base of the cutting with Kornevin.
Step 6	Deepening in the ground for the cutting can be done with a toothpick.
Step 7	Root the cutting in soil or peat tablet, dipping it to the first leaves. As a soil, you can take a universal soil for indoor flowers.
Step 8	Install the soil with cuttings in a mini-greenhouse, and then sprinkle with water using a spray bottle.
Step 9	Cover the greenhouse with a transparent lid or foil. Before rooting, the container should be under the phytolamp at a temperature of about + 20 ° C. Periodically, the greenhouse lid must be opened for ventilation.

The roots should be expected to appear within two weeks.

Rooted calibrachoa cuttings

Calibrachoa Noa Apricot

- Propagation of calibrachoa using seeds

Features of caring for calibrachoa

When the calibrachoa seedlings reach the desired size, they are transplanted into pots, which are hung to decorate the garden, alley or facade of the house. It is recommended to wait until May before taking the pots with the plant outside.

Calibrachoa in pots

On a note! These flowers are very fond of lighted and warm places. It is also advisable to protect the plant from drafts and strong winds. Therefore, calibrachoa is often kept as a houseplant.

A plant that has reached a sufficiently large size must be provided with enough free space. It should be planted in well-fertilized soil.

An adult calibrachoa requires 3 kg of loose soil, to which you need to add compost or humus.

Attention! To form a beautiful bush that will delight with long flowering, plants need to be pinched, and dried flowers must be removed in a timely manner.

Calibrachoa - a florist's dream

Proper care of calibrachoa involves adherence to three principles:

regular watering;
maintaining the shape of the bush;
fertilization.

Many colors of calibrachoa

Lighting

At the same time, they cannot stand extreme heat. If in summer in July the flower is under the scorching rays of the sun, it may dry out. At this time, it is better to transfer it to places protected from direct sunlight.

The plant needs a lot of light

Top dressing

Watering

Watering should be done very carefully. It is important to avoid excess moisture. Excessively damp soil can provoke rotting of the root system.

Growing Calibrachoa Flowers

Susceptibility to disease and pests

Calibrachoa is a beautiful stranger

Calibrachoa, if the rules of care are not followed, can be susceptible to the following diseases:

powdery mildew;
the leg is black;
chlorosis;
root rot.

Fungicides will help to cope with these diseases.

Fungicide to protect roses and other flowers

spider mite, which sucks out the nutrients contained in the branches and leaves from the plant, which reduces its immunity;
aphid, the defeat of which brings the flower to complete wilting;
thrips- the larvae of this pest live on foliage, devouring it, because of which the bush loses its attractiveness;
whitefly, whose larvae and butterflies suck the juices from the plant, which inhibits its development.

Spider mite

Highslide JS. Thrips

Whitefly

Source: https://svoimi-rykami.ru/ychastok/rassada/kalibraxoa-vyrashhivanie-i-uxod.html

Rules for growing and caring for calibrachoa: instructions and advice

Calibrahoa is a lush flowering plant with a delicate pleasant aroma. His homeland is considered South America... Domestic gardeners drew attention to it recently, at the beginning of the 21st century. During this period, many began to use the Internet and learned about the plant, which in many ways resembles the well-known petunia (Petunia). That's why long time erroneously considered calibrachoa to be her relative.

What is the difference between calibrachoa and petunia

In a specialized reference literature in horticulture and floriculture, a direct relationship between Petunia and Calibrahoa was established until the end of the 90s of the last century. But at the beginning of the 21st century, scientific research was carried out to confirm this assumption. It was based on the external similarity of these plants, in many respects the same rules of care, planting and reproduction.

As a result of genetic analysis, significant differences in DNA were found. Calibrahoa had 18 chromosomes, while petunia had only 14. Since then, Calibrahoa is a separate genus, distinct from Petunia.

Not all gardeners and breeders are familiar with this information, so on sale you can often find calibrachoa under different names: "Surfiniya", or "ampelous petunia". However, flowers in calibracho are smaller, and their number is many times greater.

Calibrachoa is a wild bloom

Calibrachoa: what is this plant

Since the gardeners paid attention to caliberhoa, the active stage of its breeding began. Many varieties have been bred that are as beautiful as the original plant. It can be distinguished by its solid purple flowers, in which the central part has a darker shade.

This darkening of the “neck” is the hallmark of calibrachoa. Today, plants of a wide variety of colors and shades have been bred, but all of them have a darker central part of the flower than the petals. The shape of the buds is unpretentious and therefore especially attractive. Outwardly, it looks a lot like petunia flowers.

In order to distinguish one plant from another, you need to do the following:

pay attention to the leaves: in calibrachoa they are not wide, no more than 10 mm. Length - 3-4 cm;
the stem and the underside of the leaves are covered with fine villi, downy;
the stem is prone to woodiness, while in petunia it is thin, strong and flexible, reminiscent of a stem of grass.

Calibrachoa - beautiful ampel plant

Flower diameter - no more than 30 mm. It blooms luxuriantly, covering the entire upper part of the bush. Often, greenery is not visible under the flowers. But to achieve this effect, it is not always enough to plant one cutting in one pot. Some varieties require 2-3 shoots. In this case, there is no doubt about the abundance of flowering.

The best calibrachoa varieties with photos

Many calibrachoa series have been developed:

Million Bells
Million Bells Trailing;
Superbells
Aloha.

Calibrachoa Kabloom

From the Kabloom series, Kablum blue is most loved by flower growers. Bred in the USA, grown from seeds and cuttings. This is one of the first plants in this series to come to Russian market... "Kablum blue" is especially effective during the flowering period: the whole bush is covered with a head of small flowers of deep blue color.

The plant is not tall - 20-30 cm. Great for decorating balconies and loggias, garden paths, verandas and terraces. The diameter of the bush is within 25-35 cm. Growing from seeds, sowing is carried out in late winter - early spring.

An important point: the container in which the seeds are sown must be kept in the light, but avoid direct sunlight on it. it optimal conditions for germination.

The first shoots appear 7-14 days after sowing.

Calibrachoa Kabloom

Calibrachoa Million Bells

Calibrachoa "Million Bells" is an abundantly flowering ampelous plant. The length of its shoots can reach 1.5 m.Therefore, it looks very impressive in hanging planters... The series includes 18 varieties, differing in color of flowers:

Pink shiffon- pink;
Grape punch- light purple;
Apricot punch- orange with yellow;
Coral pink- deep dark pink color with a coral "neck".

Any calibrachoa, the cultivation of which requires systematic care, will thank you with long flowering. At least 15 weeks pass from planting seeds to its beginning. If propagation was carried out by cuttings of the mother plant, the first flowers will appear earlier: after 12 weeks.

Calibrachoa Million Bells

Growing from seeds

Until 2015, Russian gardeners were confident that Calibrachoa beauties were propagated only by cuttings. But the seeds of these plants came to the market from Dutch breeders. It has become much easier to get exactly the variety that you like. However, this joy was slightly overshadowed by the difficulty of growing calibrachoa from seed.

Calibrachoa can be propagated by seed

For the appearance of sprouts, several conditions must be met:

When planting, the granules are not deeply immersed in the soil. Press lightly and sprinkle with earth. Cover with a film in which slits are made.
The seed container is placed in a well-lit place. But they protect from direct sunlight.
During the germination period, care must be taken to keep the soil moist. Drying out is detrimental to the seeds.
After the appearance of the first shoots, systematic watering is stopped and switched to moderate.

After 3-4 weeks, active growth of the root mass will become noticeable. 1.5 months after planting the seeds, the sprouts will get stronger and will be ready to dive. Already at the stage of small shoots, it becomes noticeable that the plant is ampelous: it begins to branch slightly.

Seed germination is quite high - 80-90%. But for this you need to choose the right soil: it must be loose, neutral or slightly acidic. Baking powder can be added to achieve the desired soil quality. Seed propagation is a simple process. It is important to comply with all the requirements for the cultivation of this plant, and success is guaranteed.

Propagation by cuttings

The most popular breeding method for calibrachoa is by cuttings. It has been noticed that with this method of growing, the plant turns out to be more lush. But perhaps this is the subjective opinion of gardeners who prefer cuttings. The best time for this process - mid-spring or summer.

An important requirement for the mother plant: the stem of the shoot, which is taken on the cutting, must be sufficiently elastic and strong. Therefore, the first rule of propagation in this way is to choose the right time for grafting.

The second rule is the right choice soil for the seedling. The best option- seedling substrate, which can be purchased at any gardening store.

Soil preparation

Pour the substrate into a sieve and wipe it, thereby creating a loose soil.
Add 25-30% (of the total mass of the soil) sifted sand.
Baking powder is introduced (Agroperlite can be used) - 30% of the total mass.
Moisten so that the soil is not wet.
The soil is transferred to the planting container, lightly compacted with the palm of your hand.
This precaution will help to avoid the effect of sagging roots in the future.

Harvesting cuttings

The most convenient way to propagate calibrachoa is by grafting.

Cuttings are harvested according to the following scheme:

The strongest shoots of the mother plant are selected.
Cut off the tops of the shoots with scissors so that there are 3-4 levels of leaflets (nodules) on the cuttings.
Cut off the leaves, not reaching the stem of 2-3 mm.
The leaves of the top of the plant (usually there are several) are shortened by cutting them in half along the length. This is necessary to reduce the evaporation area of moisture.
If there are shoots with flower buds on the cuttings, they must be cut off without fail.

Planting cuttings

In a container with soil, pits are made 3-4 cm deep at a distance of 5 cm from each other.
The stalk is immersed in a hole so that no more than 2.5 cm of the stem remains in the ground.
At least 1 cm of the stem and the top with trimmed leaves should rise above the ground.
That part of the plant that will be immersed in the ground is first lowered into a glass of water, then into a container with Kornevin. The last point is controversial. Not all gardeners agree that it is necessary. Therefore, everyone decides for himself whether to use it or not.
A cutting is planted and the soil around it is compacted.
Sprinkle with water with the addition of Fitosporin-M or another fungicide. In the future, plants are watered once every 2-3 days. Make sure that the soil does not dry out.
Cover the planting container with plastic wrap.
Several holes are made in it for oxygen supply.

This method is also possible - growing by cuttings in water. In this case, the plant is immersed in liquid 2.5 cm, and it is strengthened in this position with a sheet of paper, making a slot in it.

Mineral fertilizers are added to the water in the amount required according to the instructions.

When propagating by calibrachoa by cuttings, all recommendations must be taken into account.

Planting calibrachoa

Regardless of whether the plant propagated by cuttings or seeds, it is necessary to choose the right moment when to plant calibrachoa in a permanent place. This is usually 1.5-2 weeks after planting the cuttings. At this time, they remove the film and gradually begin to accustom young plants to the sun.

Pinch the tops, and then repeat this procedure 2-3 times more. This is how they achieve greater splendor of the bush. Calibrachoa is planted in loose soil at a temperature of + 12 ... + 15. It is important not to flood the plant when watering. If necessary, young shoots are provided with additional lighting.

Care and pest control

Home care is simple. For calibrachoa, moderate watering is recommended: 1 time in 2 days. If the room has high humidity - 1 time in 3 days.

The plant requires frequent feeding. It is necessary to apply nitrogen-based fertilizers once a week. During the period of bud formation and flowering - add fertilizers containing phosphorus and potassium.

Calibrachoa prefers moderate watering

If a young plant begins to stretch upwards, they begin to shape it: the tops of the shoots are cut off with scissors. This is done several times, achieving a wide bushiness of calibrachoa.

The greatest danger to this plant is powdery mildew... This fungus appears suddenly and develops very quickly. In order to prevent this disease, the flower is regularly sprayed with solutions based on Alirin-B or Gamair. If the fungus does not give in, the plant is treated with Topaz.

If calibrachoa is grown in open ground or in a greenhouse, aphids, whiteflies, or spider mites may appear. These pests can be dealt with in several stages. This approach will cause the least damage to the plant.

It is necessary to carry out the following activities:

Biotlin treatment against aphids.
Treatment with Fitoverm against whitefly and spider mites.
If the first two treatments do not give results, a week later they are sprayed with Aktara or Alatar.

Calibrachoa is often affected by aphids and whiteflies

After the end of flowering, Calibrachoa begins a dormant period. It is timed to coincide with the first noticeable drops in temperature. And gardeners are beginning to worry about the question: how to preserve this beautiful plant, calibrachoa, in winter.

Two options are possible here:

a whole mother bush is left to winter;
cuttings in the fall of the mother bush and leave in the winter already established young plants.

If a mother bush is left, it will begin to give new shoots in late January-early February. But for this, before wintering, the plant is pruned and placed in a place with a moderate temperature: from +5 to +15. At this moment, the bush is transplanted into a container with nutritious soil. In the process, the roots and tops of the stems are trimmed.

Calibrachoa is a spectacular plant that can decorate both a room and a garden. It is actively used in landscape design both in single and in group plantings. Having mastered all the rules for the care and cultivation of this plant, you can admire its flowering annually.

You can get acquainted with the intricacies of growing calibrachoa from seeds by watching the video material. Happy viewing!

Source: http://cveti-rasteniya.ru/kalibrahoa-viraschivanie-i-uhod.html

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25.11.2013 22:40

Calibrachoa. Care rules. (advice from Irina Salaeva, an experienced collector of calibrachoa)

I'll start with the most important thing: calibrachoa CATEGORALLY DOES NOT LIKE COLD NIGHTS and HUMIDITY.

From the moment when these factors are present, all sorts of yellowing, drying of leaves, a stop in development, powdery mildew in an explicit and implicit form, late blight, and all other bacterial and fungal evil spirits begin. In general, immunity falls. You can raise immunity. But it is difficult and costly both in terms of effort and time.

Well, the second is at least important point: The nutritional mixture should be based on light peat, no black soil, NO MANURE (AT LEAST 150 TIMES OVERALL). You can add humus, but again it is extremely light in composition.

The soil in the pot should not be kept moist all the time. It is necessary to let the soil dry out, only so that the plant does not wither.

Calibrachoa, although it belongs to the nightshade, is NOT TOMATOES. The roots of calibrachoa are much more tender and they need light soil so that the roots can not only develop, but also breathe and not block (in fact, from this moment breathing stops - iron is blocked and you get chlorosis).

If calibrachoa, like petunia itself, grows in a small container, then from the moment the roots loop back, the crown stops growing. Accordingly, the smaller the pot, the smaller the bush.

Top dressing is a delicate question. For myself, I made a conclusion: I will recommend only one - "long-playing" fertilizers. So at least there is less stress and less risk of harming the plant.

Treatment: if the plant is sick with something and you do not know what, the scheme is the same: chorus + topaz (pureblossom, raek) + aktara. How to breed, see the instructions. Aktara will help against all types of insect pests and all sorts of crawling in the soil (except for spider mites), and the first 2 from all kinds of diseases. The soil also needs to be shed.

If it does not help, then the roots have looped back, and the plant "ate" almost all the nutrients. Then either fertilize or "reanimate" in a new larger planting tank.

By and large, treating is more of a poultice than a panacea. It is possible, but there are no universal “recipes”. It is always necessary to analyze the condition of a particular plant and growing conditions. The best option is to give the plant enough soil (I personally give 5 liters for 1 calibrachoa plant) + fertilizers + protect from rains and cold and damp nights.

My experience is by no means the truth of the last resort, you will probably have, or already have, your own successful experience in growing these multi-colored beauties !! Good luck and chic flower hats, of course!

FOR OVER-WINTER:

Bacterial and fungal diseases will "work" for the caliber in a day, if you do not process it before putting it in the heat and do not give it additional food. As additional food for the winter, it is better to either long-playing osmokot (OSMOKOTE), or fertilizer in sticks - those that are sold in garden stores.

It is necessary to treat diseases with Horus + Topaz (Pure Blossom, Raek).

Fertilize a week or two before application, and treat for diseases of the day in 3.

Watering is very rare, moderate.

CROSSING:

Calibrachoa mother bushes can be cut in autumn. Apical cuttings with 4-5 buds are taken. Cuttings in peat tablets take root well. Tablets are placed in a tray (disposable plastic cups, cake lids).

Top covered with polyethylene or transparent lids (you can also use materials at hand, as for pallets). Watering is rare in the pan (there is practically no evaporation under the lids).

Light is needed! (natural lighting and backlighting)

Another experience of growing and grafting calibrachoa (taken from the site http://balconello.ru/blog/30/)

Calibrachoa is perfect for growing in hanging containers, balcony boxes and tall vases. Preparation correct soil for such containers it is a very important occupation. The main requirement is to provide moisture capacity and good looseness of the soil.

In order for the mixture to meet these requirements, you can add a hydrogel (aka AK-639 water-absorbing acrylamide polymer) and perlite. For the rest, it is worth using natural materials - peat, humus, sand, leaf and sod land.

There are no clear requirements for proportions, the percentage can be selected independently, trying to achieve desired characteristics(looseness and moisture content). Acidic soil can be neutralized with lime - 10-20 g for every 10 liters.

If you plan to plant plants in small containers, it is better to enrich the soil with complex mineral fertilizers with a long dissolution period. A 5 cm thick drainage layer is poured onto the bottom of containers and boxes. The material can be anything - expanded clay, gravel, etc. The density of planting seedlings in containers and hanging baskets is quite high - about 70 plants / sq. meter.

Caring for ampel calibrachoa in containers involves regular watering and at least weekly feeding (foliar feeding, such as spraying the leaves, should be interspersed with root feeding). In addition to regular watering, you should often spray with calibachoa water.

This is especially important in dry and hot weather: on such days, the number of moisturizing sessions rises to 2-3 per day. Bad weather can negatively affect the flowering of plants. If growth and flowering have slowed down, it is worth using growth stimulants. Zircon or Epin-Extra will do.

If you follow all specified requirements, lush flowering and intense growth of calibrachoa will not keep you waiting.

Rain, especially heavy rain, is an extremely dangerous weather phenomenon for Calibrachoa. Water droplets damage the delicate flowers of plants by breaking the petals. After such a rain, calibrachoa takes on a sloppy and disheveled appearance.

In some cases, the plant may stop blooming altogether, and its decorative effect will be completely lost. To avoid this kind of trouble, remove baskets from open spaces and hide in a place protected from the rain. You can also harm the flowers by sloppy, rough watering.

Therefore, calibrachoa is usually watered at the root.

Propagated by calibrachoa by cuttings (vegetatively). In principle, under the right conditions - making up for the lack of light with the help of lamps, maintaining the temperature regime at 21-24 ° C - cuttings can not be stopped all year round.

The cutting technique is as follows: the apical cuttings from mother plants are cut off, capturing from 4 to 6 leaves. They get rid of extra sheets, leaving only the top two (they need to be shortened by half), and then proceed to planting. Cuttings are placed at a distance of 1, 5-2 cm from each other and deepened into the soil by a quarter of the length.

Thus, there should be about 500 cuttings for every square meter. The container is covered with glass and placed in a well-lit place.
By and large, no additional measures need to be taken. If freshly cut cuttings are placed in the soil in the first hour after cutting, they will root without problems.

It's another matter if the cuttings are overexposed and not planted for 2 hours. This leads to a significant reduction in the likelihood of rooting, whatever the storage conditions. If problems with the rooting of cuttings nevertheless arise, it makes sense to use special stimulants - growth regulators, such as Heteroauxin, etc.

The rooting time can be different: sometimes the cuttings take root in two weeks, sometimes it takes a little longer.

An important condition for successful rooting is sufficient moisture. Therefore, the cuttings should be sprayed with water at least once a day (preferably twice).

This is best done with a sprayer, and the soil should be exactly moistened, but in no case soggy. At this stage, the appearance of a "black leg" or mold is not excluded.

At the first signs of the disease, it is necessary to remove the affected cuttings, and also to abandon watering for a while. The boxes must be thoroughly ventilated.

The first transplant is performed when the roots reach 1-1.5 cm in length. The seedlings are moved into pots about 5 cm in diameter. In order for calibrachoa to grow more magnificently, they are pinched over 4-5 leaves.

Sometimes one more pinching is required - it is better to carry it out after another 2 weeks. The upper parts of the shoots remaining after the pinching can also be used for propagation. A second transplant will be required in 4-6 weeks, when the plants have grown sufficiently.

For transplanting, choose pots from 11 to 13 cm in diameter.

Photo by Oksana Prakhova, Irina Salaeva (Yekaterinburg):

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Calibrachoa cultivation and care fertilization pruning and reproduction

Calibrachoa is an ampel type plant that has a large number of flowers in the form of bells, located on a large spherical bush. Recently, it is widely popular among gardeners and hobbyists for decorating the garden, galleries and other things. Calibrachoa are made out in hanging pots.

Increasingly, this plant can be found as a decoration for the outer part of balconies and windows. They look great, improve the unsightly building and are simply pleasing to the eye. The number of flowers is really so great that it is almost impossible to count it, therefore, in the common people it is called "A Million Bells".

Varieties and types

Calibrachoa flowers initially had only purple hues, and after breeding work was carried out, new colors appeared: white, pink, cherry, yellow and blue.

the peculiarity of flowers is that they have a heterogeneous color. Moreover, this is not a smooth transition of one color, but two different ones with a clear border, for example: pink and yellow, dark purple and pink, white and pink, white and yellow, etc.

After the selection work was carried out, a huge variety of species and varieties of this flower appeared. The brightest are the following:

Calibrachoa Kablum series has four varieties:

Kablum Deep Blue(very dark violet-blue tint);

Kablum Deep Pink(bright pink-crimson color);

Kablum White(delicate white or slightly milky color);

Kablum Yellow(rich yellow hue).

Chameleon- This is a representative of a new species of calibrachoa, the flowers of which are half-double in shape and variable color. The bushes are of medium size.

Calibrachoa Hybrid Tequila Sunrise- a new hatched species with a very spectacular color: the main color is yellow with rich veins forming the shape of a star. The shoots are highly branched and form a spherical bush with a diameter of 35-40 cm.

Calibrachoa Kalita from a series of ampelous, has double semicircular flowers of bright colors.

Calibrachoa cultivation and care

For a favorable growth of calibrachoa, it is necessary to provide it with comfortable conditions habitat, namely: good illumination (a lot of light, but not the scorching midday sun).

Lack of drafts (for example, open and too-blown balconies or open areas with frequent gusts of wind), the soil is light (slightly acidic or neutral) and well-drained.

Watering calibrachoa

You need to be very careful when watering. Avoid waterlogging, otherwise root decay will come very quickly.

But it is imperative and regular to moisturize the flower, especially on hot days. Spray 3-4 times a day, just not at the moment when the sun hits the bush directly.

Fertilizer calibrachoa

Plant feeding is carried out every week. During reproduction, seedlings are fertilized with a composition containing nitrogen, and during flowering - with a large amount of potassium and phosphorus.

Calibrachoa primer

The soil should consist of a mixture of humus, peat, turf and leafy soil with the addition of sand. The amount of each component may be different, the main thing is that the substrate is sufficiently loose, but moisture-consuming.

A drainage layer (about 5 cm) is poured onto the bottom of the pot or box, then applied required amount substrate, watered with mineral fertilizers, seedlings are laid and sprinkled around with the rest of the soil. Seedlings are planted in boxes and pots very tightly - about 60-70 seedlings per square meter, to ensure lush flowering.

Wintering calibrachoa

Many people think that this is an annual plant and therefore get rid of it at the end of the season, but in fact, if this plant is kept cool and humid room, for example, glazed balcony with an air temperature not falling below 5-10 ° C above zero, and if the calibrachoa overwinters, then in the spring cuttings are cut from it and rooted (for further reproduction), and the bush itself can bloom again.

Calibrachoa trimming

During the flowering period, to maintain a beautiful appearance, they carry out a "cleanup" of the bush - they break off wilted flowers and leaves, and during the period of weakening of flowering, somewhere in the middle of summer, the stems are trimmed, half the length, which will serve as a good stimulation for the growth and branching of young shoots and, accordingly, an increase in flower ovaries (even more flowers).

Calibrachoa propagation by cuttings

To do this, at the end of summer (or at the beginning of autumn), the upper young shoots 5-6 cm long are cut off (while cutting off the lower leaves) and planted in a light, moist soil. Then covered up glass jar or cropped plastic bottle to create a greenhouse that promotes rooting.

Every day, this greenhouse should be ventilated for a couple of minutes. Once the plant has taken root, it can be looked after as a normal houseplant. Calibrachoa tolerates winter well.

In the spring, the apical processes are cut off again from these bushes and rooted - from them flowering calibrachoa are obtained.

Calibrachoa growing from seed

With this reproduction, there is one significant disadvantage - the plant will not inherit maternal characteristics, for example, the color and size of the flowers.

For sowing, a peat tablet is taken, which is soaked in boiling water, wait for it to cool completely. To avoid diseases of the black leg, a peat tablet is poured with water with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

After about a week, the seeds will begin to hatch, when the first leaves appear, it is necessary to ventilate the seedlings from time to time. After a couple of days, they will get used to the dry room air and you can remove the film.

Diseases and pests

If you violate the conditions for caring for a flower, then there is a high probability of encountering such a problem as black leg - a fungal infection, in the fight against which it is necessary to use drugs containing mancoceb and oxadixil.

If ordinary garden soil is used for growing calibrachoa, then this can be fraught with a number of consequences, for example: death due to root rot; the development of chlorosis (symptoms: a weakened plant with pale yellowed leaves).

Chlorosis treatment begins with reducing the amount of watering and treating the entire flower with iron chelate preparations.

Calibrachoa is a flower that has recently settled on the balconies of our fellow florists. Some are still suspicious of the green balls, all covered with small bell flowers, so similar to petunia in miniature. Nevertheless, until 1990, calibrachoa was considered the most real petunia and even according to all botanical textbooks it belonged to the genus Petunia. It was only in the turning point of 1990 that it was proved that it has a completely different DNA structure. Petunia boasts only 14 chromosomes, while calibrachoa has as many as 18! In other words, despite the similarity, calibrachoa and are completely different, albeit related to each other, plants.

Calibrachoa flowers do not exceed 2.5-3 cm in diameter, but their size is fully compensated by their number. It is not for nothing that the most famous calibrachoa variety series is called Million Bells. This name fully conveys the nature of the plant, which grows long lashes of 0.5-1 m with many flowers in hanging baskets.

Variety series Million Bells includes 18 varieties with purple, pink, pink-lilac, red, cherry, raspberry, lemon yellow, dark yellow color

Initially, Calibrachoa had only purple flowers - this is the "native" color of the plant. Later, when it interested breeders, new varieties were bred with white, red, pink, blue, yellow, brown flowers... A notable feature of the calibrachoa is that its flower always has a “throat” that is different in color from the rest of the corolla. The throat can be yellow or brownish.

Calibrachoa flowers are amazing!

Usually calibrachoa flower a simple petunia bell. However, at present you can also find terry varieties, which are slightly inferior in the abundance of flowering to common calibrachoa.

Terry calibrachoa - variety "Mini Famous Double Pink"

How is calibrachoa different from petunias?

Calibrachoa are sometimes sold in garden centers under the name Surfinia, Ampel Petunia, or something similar. There is no point in blaming the manufacturers for this. Most likely, these names are aimed at consumers who do not know about calibrachoa, but are already aware of surfinia. If you are faced with just such a situation, you have not seen calibrachoa in your eyes, but it seems to you that the sold "surfiniya" is exactly it, then do the following:

estimate the size of the flower - it was already mentioned above that in calibrachoa it is small - no more than 3 cm. However, this “evidence” is indirect, since the flower of the Shock Wave, which is a real petunia, does not shine in size either;
pay attention to the "throat" - the pharynx at the base of the corolla. It always differs sharply in color, usually it is bright yellow, like the plumage of a chicken;
consider the leaves - this is perhaps the most obvious and direct difference between calibrachoa and petunia. Calibrachoa leaflets are very small (not more than 1 cm wide, 3-4 cm long), elongated, covered with sparse, short hairs. The same down is on the stems;
examine the stem. In contrast to petunia, the calibrachoa stem is more dense, prone to lignification. In petunia, the stem is flexible, herbaceous; in calibrachoa, it looks more like the trunk of a bush in appearance.

Calibrachoa: growing and care

For successful cultivation calibrachoa needs a lot of light and heat. Sunny balconies or terraces with a south or southeast orientation are especially good for this plant. However, without the searing heat! If the midday sun is too aggressive, the plant may burn out - shade it during these hours. It also does not accept the gusty wind, which can easily ruffle and even tear the stems and flowers. Open balconies on the upper floors high-rise buildings- not the best place for calibrachoa flowers. It is better to grow this miracle in a place protected from the wind.

Calibrachoa are planted in hanging baskets, behind-the-balcony boxes, high flowerpots. 1 plant requires at least 2-3 liters of land. The soil should be light and loose, preferably with plenty of leavening agents. The reaction of the soil is neutral or slightly acidic.

Calibrachoa is an ampelous plant, which manifests itself in all its glory in hanging pots, tall flowerpots and out-of-balcony boxes.

The hydrogel is not added to the soil. This plant needs moist soil much less than petunia. On the contrary, constant moisture is unacceptable. Calibrachoa is very easy to fill, from which the delicate roots quickly rot, and the plant dies. Conclusion: you need to water it less often than petunia. But the regular spraying of calibrachoa just loves! On especially hot days, do not skimp on moisture and spray the plant 3-4 times a day (only when the sun does not shine directly on the bushes).

Throughout the growing season, caring for calibrachoa presupposes enhanced "feeding". Be sure to fertilize every week. Use nitrogen-based formulations during the seedling period, and with a high content of phosphorus and potassium during budding and flowering. In principle, calibrachoa should be fed in the same way as.

To maintain a constant flowering and appearance of the bushes, wilted flowers are cut off so that no seeds are tied in them. In the middle of summer when flowering calibrachoa weakens, the stems can be cut to half the length. This will be an excellent stimulation for better branching of the plant and the establishment of young flower buds in large quantities.

Calibrachoa is a more drought tolerant plant than petunia, but the need for regular feeding is just as high.

Reproduction of calibrachoa

Calibrachoa is propagated using rooted cuttings, that is, vegetatively. This does not mean that the plant does not set seeds - it does so willingly, but ... The problem is that calibrachoa often grows from seeds unlike their "parents". In other words, in its development, it “rolls down” to the “wild” varieties of calibrachoa, from which the mother plants-hybrids were created. Calibrachoa grown from seed may bloom poorly, and flowers may be completely of the wrong color, smaller in size, etc. Although, you may be lucky - calibrachoa from seeds will repeat the mother plant, but this will rather be an exception to the rule.

A safe option is propagation of calibrachoa by cuttings. To do this, in late summer or early autumn, cut off the apical cuttings 4-5 cm long from the mother plant. Tear off the lower leaves and plant the bare part of the stem in a light wet soil. In order for the calibrachoa cuttings to take root, they are placed in a "greenhouse". The easiest way is to cover the planted stalk plastic cup and open it every day for a few minutes - for airing. In conditions of high humidity, the "greenhouse" cuttings of calibrachoa take root quickly. After that, the "greenhouse" can be removed and the cuttings can be looked after as for ordinary houseplants. They are completely unpretentious and survive the winter without loss. In the spring, already from the grown bushes, the apical cuttings are cut off again and again rooted - from them flowering calibrachoa are grown.

Rooted cuttings of calibrachoa in winter should be looked after in the same way as for ordinary indoor flowers.

Similarly, at home, keeping the mother plant will be much more difficult. It will have to be kept in cool and humid conditions, ideally on a glazed light balcony where the temperature does not drop below 2-3 ° C. If you manage to preserve the calibrachoa in the winter, then in the spring, again, cuttings are cut from it and rooted.

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